The Portland, OR, company, which recently rolled out its VendScreen touchscreen user interface for new and existing vending machines, has also acquired the intellectual property of Butler's consultancy, CTO Services LLC, which he founded earlier this year. | SEE STORY

Butler is a cofounder of Streamware Corp., now owned by Crane Co. He was also president of Cantaloupe Systems and most recently vice-president and chief technology officer at Crane Merchandising Systems.

"VendScreen is committed to building an all-star team and we are happy to have Glenn Butler as our newest member," said Dr. Paresh Patel, founder and chief executive of VendScreen Inc. "He brings extensive industry experience and invaluable contacts from the industry."

Patel also founded and operates Courtesy Vending, the largest independent vending company in Portland, OR.

The Android-based VendScreen can be easily retrofitted into any vending machine using existing card reader cutouts. Its 4.3" touchscreen displays user-specific promotions and advertising, real-time product updates, cashless payment options and refunds, and nutrition information. VendScreen also is available in an OEM version using a larger format screen that would replace the keypad.

VendScreen can replace several single-purpose devices, eliminating the need for separate card readers or DEX upload devices. It integrates with such vending management software suites as MEI's Easitrax and Crane's Streamware. Using industry-standard MDB protocol, it be installed in virtually any vending machine. | READ MORE

"I have been working on the digital signage and promotions aspect of vending for most of the last year," said Butler. "I think it makes perfect sense for Paresh and me to team up and bring this to the industry as quickly as possible in one integrated platform."

Separately, Jim Brinton, owner of Evergreen Vending, a full-line vending company, and Avanti Markets, a pioneer in self-checkout markets, both based in Tukwila, WA, has invested in VendScreen. He has also joined the company's board of advisors.

"Paresh and I have been colleagues for many years," said Brinton. "When he showed me the VendScreen device, I immediately recognized this is exactly what the industry needs, and I want to help him bring the device to market. Paresh is solving real problems for operators."

Patel and Butler are members of the NAMA Vending Data Interchange taskforce. The VendScreen device will support VDI 1.0 DEX transfer and other standards as soon as they are released.